Seek out information, opinions to find the right camp

Silly songs, skits and s'mores are synonymous with summer camp. New friends, new experiences and a new sense of independence are inevitable. And those are just some of the reasons for sending a child to camp.

“What we're trying to do is create lifelong memories and experiences, promote character development,” says Mark Thompson, director of the San Diego County YMCA's Camp Surf, one of the three Y resident camps.

But there is some homework parents must do beforehand, say Thompson and Kirsten Kessler, resident camp specialist for the Girl Scout camps. And now is the time to start.

First, they say, determine if your child is ready for a sleep-away, also known as a resident camp, or would be better off at day camp. Then you're ready to start the search. The following are some tips from the American Camp Association for doing research on camps:

Is the camp ACA-accredited?

Accreditation doesn't guarantee a risk-free environment, the ACA acknowledges, but it does say that the camp meets certain health, safety and program quality standards.

Talk to other parents; what are their recommendations?

Visit the camp, go to the open house, talk to the counselors. Ask questions, such as how homesickness is handled and what kind of disciplinary measures the camp takes.

What is the camp's philosophy?

Each camp has its goals – for example, building self-confidence and independence through the activities they offer. Does it complement your own ideas about parenting?

What is the camp director's background?

ACA minimum standards recommend that directors have a bachelor's degree, complete certain training and have at least 16 weeks of camp administrative experience.

What training do counselors receive? What is the ratio of campers to counselors? How many counselors return from year to year?

The answers to all these questions underline the camp's stability.

How does the camp handle special needs?

In other words, is there a nurse on staff? A designated place to store medications? Are special foods available for campers with restricted diets? The ACA says: “Every question is important.”

Beyond those specific concerns, Kessler and Thompson urge parents to pay attention to what interests their children. Remember that camp is for your child, not you, so let your child have a voice in what camp is chosen. Remember, too, that camp is supposed to be fun, so while you may be concerned about academics, maybe your child really just needs a break.

“It should be a decision you both make,” Kessler says.

And when you let them go, truly let them go. Don't hide cell phones on them so they can call you – or you can call them, which Thompson says is becoming a huge problem. Instead, he says, if you have concerns, call the camp directly and talk to someone.

He understands parents' anxiety. He admits with a laugh that even he, who has been a camp director for 10 years, had trouble sending his 9-year-old son away for the first time last summer. But he did it, and his son thrived. “The independence camp teaches is unbelievable,” Thompson says. “When my son came home, he had the confidence to try things he hadn't done before.”

You can go to girlscoutssdi.org and ymca.org for more information on YMCA or Girl Scout days and resident camps. And you can find more specific information on choosing a camp at acacamps.org, including a list of accredited camps throughout the country, packing checklists and more.